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Paul Laurence Dunbar - Dirge For A Soldier
Work rating: Low

In the east the morning comes,
  Hear the rollin` of the drums
      On the hill.
  But the heart that beat as they beat
  In the battle`s raging day heat
      Lieth still.
  Unto him the night has come,
  Though they roll the morning drum.

  What is in the bugle`s blast?
  It is: "Victory at last!
      Now for rest."
  But, my comrades, come behold him,
  Where our colors now enfold him,
      And his breast
  Bares no more to meet the blade,
  But lies covered in the shade.

  What a stir there is to-day!
  They are laying him away
      Where he fell.
  There the flag goes draped before him;
  Now they pile the grave sod o`er him
      With a knell.
  And he answers to his name
  In the higher ranks of fame.

  There`s a woman left to mourn
  For the child that she has borne
      In travail.
  But her heart beats high and higher,
  With the patriot mother`s fire,
      At the tale.
  She has borne and lost a son,
  But her work and his are done.

  Fling the flag out, let it wave;
  They `re returning from the grave--
      "Double quick!"
  And the cymbals now are crashing,
  Bright his comrades` eyes are flashing
      From the thick
  Battle-ranks which knew him brave,
  No tears for a hero`s grave.

  In the east the morning comes,
  Hear the rattle of the drums
      Far away.
  Now no time for grief`s pursuing,
  Other work is for the doing,
      Here to-day.
  He is sleeping, let him rest
  With the flag across his breast.
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